Introduction
Plants are an important part of our life and abundance on earth, there is so much vegetation around us. Plants can renew and reinvent themselves; we can say that they are our life partners. They are living beings with awareness, reaction, and power that they teach us and share with us. The people have used countless power of herbs for substance, healing, and transformation for many centuries.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system, which is based on principles of this ancient wisdom, writings, and holistic approach toward nature. It is a way to help people live long, healthy, balanced, and cleanse the body and restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. The use of herbs has a long and storied history.
Herbs were the first medicines which are used by healers, shamans, and early doctors. There are almost more than 15,000 different types of culinary, medicinal, and poisonous herbs, their uses, properties, and effects are almost endless.
Ayurveda is a comprehensive study of herbs that explains their uses, benefits, and importance. The herbs have many pleasing properties like smell, taste, aromas, appearance, texture, and effects. Herbal plants are most often used for their leaves, stem, roots, flowers, fruits, bark, and seeds. Herbs are used in culinary in form of spices and for medicinal purposes in form of medicine.
Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic practice, meaning that healing is focused on the entire being, it is highly personal and individualistic, and it is also considered a traditional health system in India.
How to use Ayurvedic Medicine / Herbs at Home?
Herbs were used by ancient people to address health ailments and pains, through trial and error, herbal remedies were created and passed down anecdotally through the generations. Herbs are used in preparations such as powders, tonics, teas, tinctures, and encapsulated powders.
Today the herbs are used in culinary and in medical, and the basic preparations and uses at home are explained in this post. So, let’s check them out.
Infusions Method
Infusions are made by steeping a measured amount of fresh or dried herbs in a liquid such as water or oil. When infused in water, boil the water at a certain point and then either poured over herbs or merged herbs in boiling water. The amount of steeping time depends upon the desired effect.
For Tea Infusion – An infusion can steep for as little as 5minutes.
For Oil Infusion – The herbs are submerged into the carrier oil, covered tightly, and allowed to steep for 2-3 weeks.
For Vinegar Infusion – Take 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and ½ cup steep the desired herb for about 1 month. Pour the liquid with help of a tea strainer into a jar or glass when the steep cycle is complete.
Decoction Method
A decoction is required for rigid, woody leaves, stems, and roots of herbs, heat the water to a certain point and then add the herb to it, cover the lid and keep it on low flame for an extended amount of time. The decoction method is used on herbs that are rigid, hard, strong cover, and requires more time to break down.
Liniment Method
It is made from an herbal extract that is added in vinegar or alcohol, liniment is used in topical applications for healing purposes. This method is used for healing pains and strained and stiff muscles.
Tincture Method
In this method, herbs are soaked in alcohol (such as vodka) or glycerin for a certain amount of time, this herbal solution is kept in an airtight box, for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, pour the liquid into another jar and compost the herbs. Tinctures are sued for internal issues such as digestion, fevers, or excessive mucus.
Powders
Powders are made with dried herbs; they can be used directly or as a filler for capsules. Powders are the mainly used method.
Tea
Herbal tea is also a very popular and easy way to consume herbs, this is also a very effective and time-saving method. You can add herbs with green tea, black tea, and milk tea.
Tonics
It is a liquid preparation of herbs, in this method herbs are infused or decocted in preservatives like brandy or alcohol for 20-30 minutes. Tonics can be made with seeds, stems, leaves, berries, flowers, or roots.
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Some Easy Herbal Remedies of Ayurvedic Herbs - 2022
These recipes are easy, homemade, and treat various health ailments, recipes are mentioned with their benefits.
For Weight Management and Constipation
Flax Seed Indian Bread
Ingredients
- Wheat flour – 1 cup
- Flax Seed Roasted – 1tbsp
- Salt – ¼ tsp
- Red Chili Flakes – ¼ tsp
- Garlic Powder – ½ tsp
- Fennel Seeds Ground – ½ tsp
Method
- Take a mixing bowl and add all the items.
- Knead the dough with help of water and rest it for half an hour.
- Make delicious bread or paratha with a little amount of olive oil.
Flax Seed Tea
Ingredients
- Flax Seed Powder – 1 tsp
- Water – 360 ml
- Holy Basil Leaf Powder – 1 tsp
- Myrica Nagi Bark Powder – ½ tsp
Method
- Take a pan and add water, boil it.
- Add all the items and boil them to reduce them to half.
- Strain the tea into a cup and add honey and lemon juice.
- Drink hot.
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For Cough & Cold
Box myrtle Herbal Tea
Ingredients
- Box myrtle Bark Powder – 1 tsp
- Terminalia Bellirica Powder – 1 tsp
- Holy Basil – 1tsp
- Licorice Root Powder – 1tsp
- Water – 2 cups
Method
- Take a tea pan and add water, boil it.
- Add all the ingredients and boil them for another 3-5 minutes.
- Strain the tea in a cup with help of a tea filter.
- Add honey and & lime or you can add black salt and pepper, whatever taste you like.
- Drink hot.
Malabar Nut leaves Tea
Ingredients
- Malabar Nut leaves Powder or fresh leaves – 1 tsp
- Water – 1 cup
- Green Tea – 1 tsp
- Cinnamon Powder – ¼ tsp
- Green Cardamom – 1 clove
Method
- Take a tea pan and add water to boil.
- Add all the items and boil them for 2 minutes.
- Strain the tea in a cup and add lemon and honey as per your preferences.
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For Digestion
Terminalia Bellirica Tea for Digestion
Ingredients
- Terminalia Bellirica Fruit Powder – 2 tsp
- Indian Gooseberry Powder – 1 tsp
- Terminalia Chebula Powder – 1 tsp
- Piper Cubeba Fruit Powder – 1 tsp
- Black Salt – ¼ tsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tsp
- Roasted Ground Cumin – ¼ tsp
Method
- Take a pan and boil 2 cups of water.
- Add all the ingredients except lemon juice.
- Boil for 3-5 minutes, then turn off the gas.
- Pour the tea into a cup and add lemon juice, mix it well and drink hot. You can also add honey.
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For Energy and Endurance
Mucuna Pruriens Seed Curry
Ingredients
- Mucuna Pruriens Seed (Overnight soaked and boiled) – 1 ½ cup
- Tomato - diced – 1 large
- Boiled Potato – 1 large (optional)
- Ginger, Garlic, Green Chili Paste – 1 ½ tsp
- Onion Paste – 1 tsp
- Curry Powder – 1 tsp
- Garam Masala – ½ tsp
- Low fat cream – ½ tsp
- Salt – 1tsp (or according to the taste)
- Fresh Chopped Coriander – 1 tsp
- Cooking Oil – 1tbsp
- Lemon Juice – ½ tsp
- Water – 1 ½ cup
Method
- Take a wok (any), put it on the heat on medium flame, add ginger, garlic, green chili paste and stir for 3 minutes.
- Add onion paste and cook for 32 minutes, then add tomato and salt and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add curry powder and mix with tomatoes. Stir for 2-3 minutes.
- Add mucuna pruriens seed and boiled potatoes, mix it well with gravy and cook for 2 minutes. Then add water, stir, and cover the lid for 5 minutes on low flame, Stir occasionally.
- Now curry is done, turn off the gas. Add cream stir and then add lemon juice, stir it again.
- Put this curry in a serving bowl and garnish it with fresh coriander.
- You can eat this curry with boiled rice, bread, pasta, and stir-fried noodles.
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For Detoxification
Withania somnifera Detox Tea
Ingredients
- Withania somnifera root powder – ½ tsp
- Lemongrass Powder – ½ tsp
- Ginger powder – ½ tsp
- Black Pepper powder – ¼ tsp
- Holy Basil leaf powder – ½ tsp
- Water – 1 ½ cup
Method
- Take a pan and add all ingredients to it. Mix them all and boil them for 5 minutes or reduce them to 1 cup.
- Strain this mixture in a cup and add lemon and honey to it.
- If you want to add milk, then add only jaggery powder(optional) and milk in boiled tea.
Berberis Aristata Detox Tea
Ingredients
- Berberis Aristata Root Powder – 1 tsp
- Ginger Powder – ½ tsp
- Cinnamon – ¼ tsp
- Green Tea -1 tsp
- Honey – ½ tsp (optional)
- Nutmeg Powder – ¼ tsp
- Holy Basil Leaf Powder – ½ tsp
- Terminalia Bellirica Powder – ½ tsp
- Water – 1 ½ cup
Method
- Take a pan and boil water, then add all the ingredients except honey.
- Boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Strain in a cup with help of a tea filter.
- Add honey and drink hot.
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For Inflammation, Gas, and Acidity
Senna Green Tea
Ingredients
- Green Tea – 1tsp
- Senna Leaves – 1tsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
- Mint leaves – ½ tsp
- Black Salt – ¼ tsp
- Ginger Powder – ½ tsp
Method
- Take a pan and boil the water.
- Turn off the gas and add all the ingredients, cover the lid, and keep it for 2-3 minutes. So that green tea and Senna are properly infused in water.
- Strain the tea into a cup and add lemon.
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For Hair Fall and Hair Growth
Butea Monosperma Hair Pack
- Butea Monosperma flower powder - 2 tbsp.
- Onion juice - 2 tbsp.
- Indian Gooseberry powder - 1 tbsp.
- Black Cumin (Nigella) powder - 1tsp
- Brahmi Booti powder - 1 tsp
- Egg yolk - 1
Method
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and leave for 20-30 minutes.
- Apply this pack on clean hair, and leave it for 25-30 minutes
- Wash hair properly and give a gentle massage of olive oil.
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For Immunity
Argyreia Nervosa Herbal Tea
Ingredients
- Argyreia Nervosa Root powder – ½ tsp
- Green Tea – ½ tsp
- Holy Basil Leaves – 1 sprig
- Cinnamon powder – ¼ tsp
- Water – 2 cups
Method
- Take a pan and add water, boil the water, and add all the ingredients.
- Reduce it to 1 cup and strain the tea into a cup.
- Add lemon or honey as per your taste.
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For High Blood Pressure
- Take a pan and add one cup of water, half a cup of milk, and 1 tsp of Arjuna bark powder and green tea or Kashmiri Kahwa.
- Mix all the items well and put the pan on the gas on medium heat.
- Boil this mixture and reduce it to half, turn off the gas and let it cool down at normal temperature.
- Strain the tea with help of a tea filter and drink it when it is still warm.
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For Diabetes
Indian Gooseberry Curry
Ingredients
- Fenugreek Seeds – 1 tbsp (overnight soaked)
- Fresh Indian Gooseberry – 3 pcs
- Salt – ¼ tsp
- Chili Powder – ½ tsp
- Coriander Powder – ¼ tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
- Cooking Oil – 1 tbsp
- Fennel Seed Powder – ¼ tsp
- Cumin Seeds – a pinch
Method
- Take a wok and put it on heat (only aluminum)
- Add cooking oil, then cumin, and fenugreek with soaked water. Stir
- Then Indian gooseberries and other spices, stir and cover the lid.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the gooseberries are soft.
- Once done, turn off the flame.
- Serve this with bread or rice.
For Pimple, Acne, and Scar
Berberis Aristata Face Pack
Ingredients
- Berberis Aristata Root Powder – 1 tsp
- Neem Leaf Powder – 1 tsp
- Rose Petals Powder – ½ tsp
- Honey – ½ tsp
- Orange Peel Powder – 1 tsp
Method
- Take a bowl and add all the ingredients, mix them well and make a paste with help of water.
- Clean your face and apply the pack to your face.
- Keep the pack on the face for 10-15 minutes, then wash it with normal water.
- If you have sensitive skin, then try a small patch first.
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Frequently Asked Question
Q - What are the 5 principles of Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda and Naturopathy, its believed that this body is made of five elements which are: Air (Vayu), Water (Jal), Soil (Mitti), Fire (Agni), and Space (Aakash). These five elements are important to the human body, if there is any imbalance between these elements body fall ill.
That is why in Ayurveda and Naturopathy, the treatment is given according to these elements.
Q - What is difference between herbal and Ayurvedic?
Herbal medicines are based on plant extract that can use in the treatment of ailments, whereas Ayurveda is a comprehensive study of plant extract, nature, and body science.
Q - Which Ayurvedic herb is best?
All Ayurvedic herbs all plant-based and have a specific nutritional value, some herbs are highly powerful and beneficial in various ailments. Here is the list.
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
- Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)
- Triphala
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
- Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)